Development and initial validation of a cutaneous leishmaniasis impact questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) significantly impacts patient quality of life, yet this aspect is under-researched globally.
• Existing studies often use generic quality-of-life instruments, failing to capture the specific effects of CL.
• This limitation necessitates a disease-specific tool for accurate impact assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel instrument for evaluating the impact of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
• To conduct the initial validation of this disease-specific questionnaire.
• To provide a reliable tool for assessing CL's effect on patients' lives.

Main Methods:

• The development involved literature review, expert consultation, and patient feedback.
• A pilot study with 100 localized CL patients was conducted in Brazil.
• Hierarchical cluster analysis was employed to determine the questionnaire's structure.

Main Results:

• An initial 27-item questionnaire was refined to a 25-item instrument after expert and patient evaluation.
• The Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Impact Questionnaire demonstrated high reliability (alpha = 0.86).
• The final questionnaire effectively measures general disease impact and perceptions of treatment/healthcare.

Conclusions:

• The developed Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Impact Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument.
• This tool, co-created with patients and experts, addresses a critical gap in CL research.
• It provides a foundation for better understanding and managing the quality-of-life implications of CL.